Search Results for: Refused

MTV, the once invincible music station, almost lost its place on one of the UK’s biggest cable networks because of competition from new stations developed by the British magazines, Q and Smash Hits. It has been forced to lower its charges dramatically in order to remain accessible to viewers signed up to Telewest. MTV Networks, the music television arm of Viacom that also includes VH1 and a variety of genre specific channels, is understood to have dropped its charges after Telewest decided the fee it was paying for each subscriber was too high. Telewest had said it would dump MTV… Read more »

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen on Tuesday warded off a last-ditch challenge to a London court victory won by him nearly three years ago in respect of unauthorized use of his music. In a complex case watched closely by the international music community, the High Court in 1998 blocked British company Masquerade Music from releasing an album of the star’s earlier work. That decision was upheld by the Appeal Court earlier this year and now three law lords in the country’s highest court have given it their backing as well. After a private hearing and without giving any reasons for their… Read more »

On its first day back from summer recess, the U.S. Supreme Court came out swinging Monday for the entertainment and media business, declining to review two libel cases and a suit brought by a Maryland quiltmaker alleging that producer Steven Spielberg bilked her for designs used in the 1995 picture “How to Make an American Quilt.” Furthermore, in a case tracked by the music business, the robes said rocker Nicholas Kassbaum had the right to mention that he used to be with the hit band Steppenwolf. Other members of the band alleged that Kassbaum – aka Nick St. Nicholas –… Read more »

Soul Train mastermind, Don Cornelius, has sent a letter to the Justice Department alleging that MTV is violating antitrust laws, according to the Los Angeles Times. Cornelius is accusing the music network of pressuring performers who appear on MTV shows not to perform on rival shows for a 30-day period. For example, Cornelius says, MTV won’t let artists booked on next month’s Video Music Awards to appear on his upcoming Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards. The veteran music-TV exec’s Lady of Soul show tapes next Tuesday and begins airing in syndication on Saturday. MTV’s Video Music Awards are September… Read more »

Wilco’s long-rumored split with Reprise Records is official, and the Chicago-based group is actively shopping their fourth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, in an attempt to get the record released by the end of the year. The dispute over the album began in June, when Wilco delivered a finished copy to the label and it was rejected by a pair of A&R men. When the band refused to make changes, the two sides began negotiating Wilco’s departure. “Wilco went for the side of the road instead of the middle,” says a label source, “and that’s not necessarily what the record company was… Read more »

It’s unfortunate when a single event or vibe during a show taints your experience enjoying the acts that are performing the music you respect and love. Last night’s (8/9) Mayan show in Los Angeles had all the makings of an incredible happening, especially for those in the SoCal dance community, and for many it probably was. Orange County’s Uberzone was opening for hometown boys The Crystal Method, whose latest album, Tweekend (Interscope), came out with impressive sales at Virgin Megastores the week before. New LA resident Detroit’s Static Revenger was spinning in between sets. Uberzone’s set proved to be a… Read more »

The U.S. Justice Department has launched an antitrust investigation into two online music services, both scheduled to launch this fall, that are backed by the world’s largest record companies. According to two senior executives in the record industry, federal investigators notified the record labels that they intend to examine possible anti-competitive aspects of the digital music ventures created by the music industry’s big five: Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music, EMI Group and BMG. The Justice Department does not comment on ongoing investigations. The two online services under investigation, MusicNet and pressplay, are the record industry’s best effort… Read more »

R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck pleaded innocent Tuesday to assault and other charges in an alleged air-rage incident during a flight to Britain in April. Buck, 44, made a brief appearance at Isleworth Crown Court in west London and was ordered to reappear for trial on Nov. 12. He was released on $28,600 bail. His wife, Stephanie, accompanied himto the hearing. Buck is accused of assaulting two British Airways staff members, using threatening behavior, being drunk on board an aircraft and causing criminal damage during a flight from Seattle to London on April 21. The alleged incident occurred as the Georgia… Read more »

The animated hip-pop group Gorillaz are still in the running for the Mercury Music Prize – even though they refused to accept their nomination yesterday. Gorillaz were among twelve acts to be shortlisted, but they shunned the nomination saying they would refuse to accept the award. Now the band’s record label Parlophone are saying Gorillaz are still up for it because they had put them forward for the award and only they can withdraw them. Click here for the nominations, plus hear clips of how other acts reacted to the news that they were up for the award.

Orange County act Corporate Avenger is seeing controversy continue to escalate as the release of their album approaches next week. In addition to threats and angry correspondence, it now seems the liberal media won’t even stand behind the artists. MTV, Comedy Central and E! have all refused to air the Corporate Avenger TV spot in top markets such as Chicago and Phoenix due to the words “THE BIBLE IS BULL****” in succession. The majority of stations will only run the Corporate Avenger spot after 10PM. Corporate Avenger have backed up their lyrics and songs’ focus from the beginning. In a… Read more »